My Favorite Skillet Song

Skillet ~ Rest

Still, soft quietly spoken voice

That persistently calls my name

And quickens my heart to come

And I come

And I rest in the shelter of Your love

And I rest in the wonder of Your grace

And I rest in the shelter of Your love

And I rest in the wonder of You

Embraced in the promise of You

Is rest for the weary soul

Releasing all that is mine

I reach for You

Take all the old and You make it new

Eveything I give to You

You're the hope that can pull me through

Hallelujah

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

~ Matthew 11:28

 

Isn't amazing that our God can be run to as an escape from everything?

Too close of a call

Tonight while I was grieving the loss of the Superbowl, my friend Andrew and my aquaintance Chris were out driving. They missed a curve and their car flipped 2 1/2 times. Chris (the driver) was thrown from the car before the driver's seat was completely crushed. Andrew was still in the car and took a hit to the head, some bruised ribs, and some shock, but was able to call for help. I found all this out on fb and few really knew any details while I worried myself crazy while important people figured out what happened. Finally I ascertained that Chris is in the ER with broken ribs and other forms of very banged upedness, but they don't think there is any other damage. Andrew was released from the hospital and got to go home, and then got on facebook--a HUGE woosh of relief for me.

The entire thought and the unexpectedness of it all just made me sick. Amazing how the LORD protected them and kept them as safe as He did. This whole thing reminded me how quickly things change and how much I take for granted--even the things I love like my family, my own ability to breathe, and the tall, spiky-haired, elvish-looking indivdual who enjoys picking a fight with me. Thank you God for protecting Andrew and for again showing me how all-powerful you are. AND for reminding me that I need to show my appreciation for the people you give me in life, before it's too late for either me or them. Thank you for sparing me my friend, and continue to show your blessing and healing to Chris who is still in the hospital.

It reminds me of a song...

LIVE LIKE WE'RE DYING

by Kris Allen

Sometimes we fall down and can't get back up

we're hiding behind skin that's too tough

how come we don't say I love you enough

till it's too late, it's not too late

Our hearts are hungry for a food that won't come

we could make a feast from these crumbs

and we're all staring down the barrel of a gun

so if your life flashed before you

what would you wish you would've done

Yeah... gotta start

lookin at the hand of the time we've been given here

this is all we got and we gotta start pickin it

every second counts on a clock that's tickin'

gotta live like we're dying

We only got

86 400 seconds in a day to

turn it all around or throw it all away

we gotta tell 'em that we love 'em

while we got the chance to say

gotta live like we're dying

And if your plane fell out of the skies

who would you call with your last goodbyes

should be so careful who we live out our lives

so when we long for absolution

there'll no one on the line

Yeah... gotta start

lookin at the hand of the time we've been given here

this is all we got and we gotta start pickin it

every second counts on a clock that's tickin'

gotta live like we're dying

We only got

86 400 seconds in a day to

turn it all around or throw it all away

we gotta tell 'em that we love 'em

while we got the chance to say

gotta live like we're dying

Person reading this, I love you! Come see me so I can tell you so.

The song that makes me fall in love with Jesus again every time I listen to it

Chris Rice ~ Prone to Wander

On the surface not a ripple

Undercurrent wages war

Quiet in the sanctuary

Sin is crouching at my door

How can I be so prone to wander

So prone to leave You

So prone to die

And how can You be

so full of mercy

You race to meet me

and bring be back to life

I wake to find my soul in fragments

Given to a thousand loves

But only One will have no rival

Hangs to heal me, spills His blood

How can I be so prone to wander

So prone to leave You

So prone to die

And how can You be

so full of mercy

You race to meet me

and bring be back to life

Curse-reversing Day of Jesus

When You finally seize my soul

Freedom from myself will be

The sweetest rest I've ever known

How can I be so prone to wander

So prone to leave You

So prone to die

And how can You be

so full of mercy

You race to meet me

and bring be back to life

A song my daddy wrote that nobody's allowed to steal under pain of jailhood

Beyond

from our view
a moment in time
it passes quickly
both yours and mine

we can't see
what is to come
we barely see
what's already done

it's all laid out
nothing is hidden
there are no suprises
from circumstances we get in

To a mighty God
He sees it all
Our mighty mighty God
Not a sparrow falls
Our God is an amazing God
Beyond time
Beyond the way we think

He's not bound
to any limits
His timeless majesty
shines from within it

His ways are not ours
His thoughts are much higher
Nothing can squelch
His mighty and blinding fire

He's a mighty God
He sees it all
Our mighty mighty God
Not a sparrow falls
Our God is an amazing God
Beyond time
Beyond the way we think

My thoughts exactly :)

Glory to the Newborn King

Anybody notice that the Christmas songs are creeping out? We sang this one at church Sunday (and sang it very well I might add). There's always one point in the year where the impact of Christmas hits me--Sunday, listening to this song was it. Hail the incarnate Diety, born that man no more may die!

Hark the herald angels sing

"Glory to the newborn King!

Peace on earth and mercy mild

God and sinners reconciled

"Joyful, all ye nations rise"

Join the triumph of the skies

With the angelic host proclaim:

"Christ is born in Bethlehem"

Hark! The herald angels sing

"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest heav'n adored

Christ the everlasting Lord!

Late in time behold Him come

Offspring of a Virgin's womb

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see

Hail the incarnate Deity

Pleased as man with man to dwell

Jesus, our Emmanuel

Hark! The herald angels sing

"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!

Hail the Son of Righteousness!

Light and life to all He brings

Ris'n with healing in His wings

Mild He lays His glory by

Born that man no more may die

Born to raise the sons of earth

Born to give them second birth

Hark! The herald angels sing

"Glory to the newborn King!"

Listen to this video and sing the words--see if you can tell what I mean.

Mighty To Save

Everyone needs compassion,

Love that's never failing;

Let mercy fall on me.

Everyone needs forgiveness,

The kindness of a Saviour;

The Hope of nations.

Saviour, He can move the mountains,

My God is Mighty to save,

He is Mighty to save.

Forever, Author of salvation,

He rose and conquered the grave,

Jesus conquered the grave.

So take me as You find me,

All my fears and failures,

Fill my life again.

I give my life to follow

Everything I believe in,

Now I surrender.

My Saviour, He can move the mountains,

My God is Mighty to save,

He is Mighty to save.

Forever, Author of salvation,

He rose and conquered the grave,

Jesus conquered the grave.

Shine your light and let the whole world see,

We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus

My Saviour, He can move the mountains,

My God is Mighty to save,

He is Mighty to save.

Forever, Author of salvation,

He rose and conquered the grave,

Jesus conquered the grave.

My Saviour, you can move the mountains,

You are mighty to save,

You are mighty to save.

Forever, Author of Salvation,

You rose and conquered the grave,

Yes you conquered the grave

"Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades." ~ Revelation 1:17-18

Heaven

The day I first found out we were moving, I was laying in bed thinking how sad leaving our friends and life in CO. I didn't want to fall asleep thinking things like that, so I pulled out a pad and started to write whatever. Turns out, I wrote a scene in which all of my friends from Arkansas and Colorado were altogether with Jesus in heaven. Jesus kicked the angels off the instruments and let us play them and everybody sang and couldn't stop smiling. After all, what was there to stop smiling about? Even Jesus missed a few high notes here and there, and everyone laughed just for the heck of it. Nobody really could think of a reason to stop the singing and talking and laughing until Jesus banged a pot and called everybody outside to His big big yard to play some football!

It sounded like so much fun, and God's been pressing on me lately that just like I will move away, I will someday move to heaven. I had some preconceived notions about heaven at one point in my life like a lot of people have - won't it get boring after a while? But I'm learning that heaven is our number one thing to look forward to! God didn't invent boredom - he invented everything fun and good!

And now, let me hype up the band Foolish Things. They are Colorado natives that broke up as a band a couple of years ago, but their music is AMAZING. It's not the type of music that sticks in your head as your favorite song - it's the type of music that pops up during the hard times in your life and comforts you. Here is the song, "It's Not Home" from their CD, LET'S NOT FORGET THE STORY which is my theme song for the moment.

Time is like a grain of sand on the beaches of eternity

but we're here toiling, planning

like we'll never leave

I know your fire is coming

What will stand the flames?

Will your return find me running

or blind and lame?

I've gotta say that I've lived too many days like I belong here

It's not home

I'm shocked to see the measure

of where I've been storing treasure

It's not home

The question's calling louder

"Who do you believe?"

and the answer lies upon the things to which we cleave

I know you're gone ahead

to build a place for me

so I'll trust the things you said

Trust though I can't see

I've gotta say that I've lived too many days like I belong here
It's not home
I'm shocked to see the measure
of where I've been storing treasure
It's not home

Have we believed the fiction

authored by the world's depiction

of how it is?

Let's not forget the story

we're living for his glory now

You laid it down for me

So I lay it down for you

I've gotta say that I've lived too many days like I belong here

It's not home

I'm shocked to see the measure of where I've been storing treasure

It's not home

I'm not home here

It's not my home

Why am I depressed?

Yesterday marked a week in which I have been depressed. A strange thing for the happy-go-lucky, think the best of people, always in the middle of it character we all know and love... why is everyone rolling their eyes?

Anyway, I can't figure out why - this has been a week with a lot of highs! Went to a comedy show, my brother played on the Rapids field, I got to high-five every single Real Salt Lake and Rapids player, I'm working all week which is good cuz I need the money for fencing and some stuff I owe to various places, I basically just got my hair cut, and I even like all the Colts draft picks! Usually the euphoria from all these things would drag out a little. And I'm not depressed ALL the time, which gets confusing. I'm focused when I babysit so I'm usually ok there, and I'm having a good time with my bros and that's happy, and all that. But I default back to depressed!

Maybe it's just the lows - the depression kicked off last week when I started getting the feeling that God was mad at me because I was doing something wrong when approaching Him. Even when I was reading the Bible, or praying there was this little whisper that I wasn't good enough for God to still love me, or that He wasn't listening to me because He was mad about something I did. I couldn't find any Biblical evidence that this was true, so I came to the conclusion that it was all a trick from the devil that I fell for. Mean I think, that he'd trick me into skittering away from God making me think He was angry at me. Now I'm coming back, but the space that got shoved between is a little awkward. I mean, why wouldn't God be mad at me? Lord knows I do all kinds of stuff to deserve it! I guess I just can't grasp how God's love is unconditional... all of a sudden. I know that's silly and that Jesus bridged the gap, but having to cross back over after getting tricked that the bridge wasn't there kinda gets me down, since I didn't have to be there in the first place. Ok, that made no sense I'm certain. I thought of a song today that describes me right now. I hadn't heard it in forever and could barely remember the words, so I looked them up.

Your Love Never Changes - Paul Wright

I'm tired of falling on my face Lord

Get up tell myself (oh oh oh oh)

I'm tired of singing the same songs

Na na na na (ha! oh oh oh oh)

I'm so high I'm so low

I'm so hot I'm so cold

I'm so young but I'm feeling so old

I'm at peace I'm at war

I want less I want more

I want it all but I don¹t know what it's for

And all that I am is all that you see

When nobody is looking at me

I fall to my knees you're calling my name

And you love me just the same - Whoa!

Because your love never changes - No

Yea you love me just the same - Whoa!

Cuz your love never changes - No

I'm back on the right track again

I'm back hanging with the right friends

I'm back on my feet again

Kicking back ha just laughing

I'm so high I'm so low

I'm so hot I'm so cold

I'm so young but I'm feeling so old

I'm at peace I'm at war

I want less I want more

I want it all but I don't know what it's for

Yea you love me just the same

Yesterday today tomorrow everyday

Yea you love me just the same

Yesterday today tomorrow everyday

Yup. That's about right. But now that I'm back still doesn't fix my mood for some reason *sigh*. I'd be nice if I could figure out what the problem is.

Draw me

I don't like country music.

At all.

Never.

Or so I thought.

Our pastor played the Keith Green song, "Draw Me" today in the service, and even made himself late making a slideshow showing the lyrics. And boy am I glad he took the time because I don't like country music, but these lyrics are some of the greatest I've ever seen. We were talking about distractions in church, and about how ANYTHING is sin if it keeps you from where you should be with God. I've found myself just a little distracted lately this last week. Not really because of any one thing, and not a whole lot. Just a little, whispering, tricky slip of the guard. Today's message and lyrics helped snap me back to. So what are these lyrics?

"Draw me, oh, draw me, please draw me, my Jesus.

Into your presence, where I cannot lie.

My soul is so thirsty, I cannot endure it.

And if I can't get closer, I surely will die.

Take me, oh take me, please take me, my Jesus.

Quickly, before I forget that I'm lost.

For so many times, my mind has deceived me,

That I really don't have to carry the cross.

That I really don't have to carry the cross.

I just need to know how to pray.

My wicked desires block the way,

Sometimes I have grieved you away,

I don't want to do that today.

Help me, oh help me, please help me my Jesus.

Save me from sins that I thought were all gone.

Kill me with kindness, and break through my blindness.

I know till I'm dead, I can never live on.

I know till I'm dead, I can never live on.

I just need to know how to pray.

My wicked desires block the way,

Sometimes I have grieved you away,

I don't want to do that today.

Draw me, oh draw me, please draw me my Jesus."

Usually when I put lyrics on here I regret that I can't just let you listen to the song, but not this time! lol! I put the parts I want you to think about or that are really great in red, as I usually do.

Don't let your guard down today! Stay with it! Stay in it! Anything that keeps you from God's best is sin, no matter how good it is normally.

Why I don't like the "What This World Needs" song

Yesterday the Casting Crowns song, What This World Needs song came up. Dad said he liked it, and I said I really didn't. But I never really thought a whole lot about why I didn't like it - the message of it always made me feel skeptical, but now that I actually SAID I didn't like it I thought about exactly why.

Firstly, here are the lyrics:

What this world needs

Is not another one hit wonder with an axe to grind

Another two bit politician peddling lies

Another three ring circus society

What this world needs

Is not another sign waving super saint that's better than you

Another ear pleasing candy man afraid of the truth

Another prophet in an Armani suit

What this world needs is a Savior who will rescue

A Spirit who will lead

A Father who will love them in their time of need

A Savior who will rescue

A Spirit who will lead

A Father who will love

That's what this world needs

What this world needs

Is for us to care more about the inside than the outside

Have we become so blind that we can't see

God's gotta change her heart before He changes her shirt

What this world needs

Is for us to stop hiding behind our relevance

Blending in so well that people can't see the difference

And it's the difference that sets the world free...

"People aren't confused by the gospel

they're confused by us.

Jesus is the only way to God, but we are not the only way to Jesus.

This world doesn't need my tie, my hoodie, my denomination, or my translation of the Bible. They just need Jesus.

We can be passionate about what we believe, but we can't strap ourselves to the Gospel,

because we are slowing it down.

Jesus is going to save the world,

but maybe the best thing we can do is just get out of the way. "

Jesus is our Savior, that's what this world needs

Father's arms around you, that's what this world needs

That's what this world needs

The parts not in italics are the actual song, and I think it's really good. Lyrics are great, tune is great, all that jazz. The part in italics is where people are talking, and it's the part I have a problem with. Here are my notes on it in RED.

"People aren't confused by the gospel
they're confused by us. THAT is totally right when we Christians are blending in. How do they know we're different? How are we supposed to be different?
Jesus is the only way to God, but we are not the only way to Jesus. True, but according to the Bible, we are an important way. We are the watchmen! Over and over we are told to witness and preach the gospel.
This world doesn't need my tie, my hoodie, my denomination, or my translation of the Bible. They just need Jesus. This sounds like a bash on outreach attempts to me.
We can be passionate about what we believe, but we can't strap ourselves to the Gospel,
because we are slowing it down.
Jesus is going to save the world,
but maybe the best thing we can do is just get out of the way. " But if we're getting out of the way, how are we being passionate about anything? God never told any of his disciples to "get out of his way" except when Peter spoke Satanic nonsense about escaping the cross and the like. Rather, he rebuked them when a man took his demon possessed son to his disciples to be healed and they did not. "How long shall I be with you?" His disciples were supposed to be his helpers! They weren't hindrances, or in Jesus's way, or kept Jesus from doing his good work. Of course they messed up at times just like we do, but Jesus never told them to leave or just get out of the way so he could do his own work. We all know Christians have a hard enough time standing out and being holy and sharing their faith, and I think it's better to be too zealous than to have a "just get out of the way" mentality.

Now I can see where this song is trying to go. And yes, if we strap ourselves to the Gospel like "you've gotta go through me to get to Jesus! Check out MY denomination! MY translation! Me, me, me!" that is totally bad. But if your heart is not that way when you share and give out hoodies or whatever that is very much a good thing! The song itself talks about "Blending in so well that people can't see the difference, and it's the difference that sets the world free". If the reason we're different will set the world free, why shouldn't we be excited and tell about it - with ties and hoodies if that is how you're so led? If your heart is in it to obey God and help people, you're not in God's way, you're helping in his work - that's our job. If we are God's disciples, we are his workmen and workmen don't just "get out of the way" of what needs to be done.

Now I'm not saying there AREN'T times when you need to get out of people's faces. But in this day and age, that isn't our problem. Our problem is that we don't do anything to share Christ with others. The dialogue in that song doesn't encourage anyone to witness or reach out, it makes their efforts look foolish. It's true that a Jesus tie won't save somebody, but it makes it look unnecessary and selfish that you'd give one to somebody at all. Reaching out is good and we don't do it enough!

This song addresses a problem that Christians rarely have. That's why I don't like it. Or rather, the song promotes that we do outreaches and share and have pure hearts and stand out, then they throw that dialogue in there to contradict it all. Whatever you do, don't get out of the way unless God tells you to!

Get in the game!

Be Still

Be Still and Know ~ Steven Curtis Chapman

Be still and know that he is God

Be still and know that he is holy

Be still oh restless soul of mine

Bow before the prince of peace

Let the noise and clamor cease

Be still and know that he is God

Be still and know that he is faithful

Consider all that he has done

Stand in awe and be amazed

And know that he will never change

Be still

Be still and know that he is God

Be still and know that he is God

Be still and know that he is God

Be still

Be speechless

Be still and know that he is God

Be still and know he is our father

Come rest your head upon his breast

Listen to the rhythm of

His unfailing heart of love

Beating for his little ones

Calling each of us to come

Be still

Be still

Today, whatever you're doing, just take some time to either read these lyrics or listen to the song, and actually LISTEN. Listen and visualize, and try to apply it to your day.

Make A Joyful Noise ~ Even Now by Foolish Things

Trouble came

Broke your door

Crushed your name

Robbed you poor

You feel He’s gone

Or fast asleep

All’s gone wrong

You’re in too deep

He hasn’t left you out to dry

Even Now

You haven’t left His watching eye

Even Now

So children sing it when you don’t see how

My Father’s worthy of my hope

Even now

The feeling’s gone

You’re wondering

If you heard Him wrong

If he’s listening

The same old fear

The same old haze

Is God not here?

Is His hand raised?

Could this be part of any good plan?

Seems to be you’ve fallen out of His hand

When you’re broken, don’t know how to mend

Even Now

When your tunnel’s still dark at the end

Even Now

His children don’t know why but trust their Father’s at their side

So hold His hand - hold up your hope

Even now

Do these lyrics ring a bell with you? Have you ever felt that you've been left out to dry or that You heard his promises wrong?

We recently were expecting another family member. Everyone was excited, thinking about baby names, and guessing whether it would be a boy or a girl - or twins! But our rejoicing time only lasted weeks, instead of years. We had lost the baby.

I was shocked. Why on earth had this happened? Could this be part of any good plan? I turned on the music in my room, and this song by Foolish Things really hit home to me. It helped me remember that God hadn't left us out to dry and he wasn't asleep.

And guess what? Now, my mom is expecting again.

"So children sing it when you don't see how - my Father's worthy of my hope... Even now."